Descriptive essay outline & structure

Definition and Purpose of a Descriptive Essay

A descriptive essay is a unique type of essay in which the writer concentrates on the description of a certain object, situation, and experienced emotion or may even describe a place he has been to or even an imaginary place. The major goal of a descriptive essay is to skillfully portrait a certain object, situation, person, etc. in a vivid manner to make the reader feel like he sees it himself. As the result the reader has to for a clear notion of the depicted object in his mind.

Descriptive Essay Outline

A descriptive essay traditionally consists out of three major parts:

Introduction (The writer states the reason he describes a certain object, person or situation).

Body

Paragraph 1- The object itself (A vivid portrait of the object with all the details observed)

Paragraph 2- The surroundings (A clear description of the atmosphere and surrounding of the object, person or situation portrayed).

Paragraph 3- Sensual and emotional description (It is the sensual and emotional replay of the scene).

Conclusion (Reveals the importance of the described object, person or situation. Restates the thesis statement).

Descriptive Essay Structure

Introduction (Should start with a strong opening which may be a quote that catches the reader’s attention. At the end of the introduction the writer provides a thesis statement related to the depicted object, person, situation, experience, etc. In the thesis statement the writer reveals the reason he describes a certain object, person or situation).

Body

Paragraph 1- The object itself (here the author reveals everything that he perceived referred to the object, person or situation he is describing. The author lists all the details which are important for making a vivid portrait. Uses metaphors and comparison).

Paragraph 2- The surroundings (The author has basically to show the reader all the surrounding of the described object, person or situation. The reader should feel like he is involved in the experience. Uses metaphors and comparison).

Paragraph 3- Sensual and emotional description (The writer uses his sense of taste, touch smell, sound and sight to make the experience “alive”. In other words here the author needs to “replay” the object, person or situation to the reader. Uses metaphors and comparison).

Conclusion (The conclusion summarizes the physical and emotional attitude of the author to the described object, person or situation. The conclusion restates the meaning and idea of this experience for the writer and the reason he actually describes it to the reader).